2016 New Jersey Tip-Off Preview

Qualifications: Sticking with the theme of high school events we have NEW JERSEY BASKETBALL BACK! Nothing like the start of basketball season in NJ and nothing like the 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off. This week we’ll have a little different approach to Pooley’s Picks. No specific qualifications this week, just some pointers for people to watch out for during this event and really the rest of the season.

Picks are in no particular order. Please enjoy the fifth installment of Pooley’s Picks.

The 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off: Ten great match ups. 5 of the top 7 teams in NJ.

The Event: For years (17 to be exact), the Hoop Group has put on the NJ Tip-Off. Each year, it features high-profile match ups and top-tier talent. The event itself is well run and the venues are always excellent. The 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off will be very much the same. First, Eric Kessler and Dave Fedor have a ton of experience running events, and more importantly a ton of knowledge of the teams. When you get the best teams together to start the season it is important to have a great setup and planning. This event will have that and more.

HC of Pope John at 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off, Vincent Johnson, while at Lehigh.

Vincent Johnson: Vincent was named the head coach of Pope John after former coach Jason Hasson left for Pennsylvania. “Chico” as many know him, is a great coach with an unbelievable background in basketball. More importantly, he is a good friend of mine and an excellent mentor to many young ball players. The #1 thing I’m excited for at the 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off is to watch Coach Johnson in his head coaching debut. Now, he has been matched up with Roselle Catholic, a staple at the top of the NJ rankings. Don’t be surprised if Coach Johnson and his young, talented squad can keep it close.

2016 New Jersey Tip-Off participant Mike Morreale

Michael Morreale: The 6’5″ 2017 senior is one of my favorites. He is an excellent player, known both for his excellent athleticism and long range jumpers. Entering his senior year, he’ll be a valuable asset for Coach Mergin Sina and the Knights. Look for Mike to knock down a couple threes and convert on a jam or two. More than that, look for Mike to make the big play at the end. Defensively Mike is one of the best around, guarding point guards right on down to centers. More importantly, he is a great kid and a great teammate. No question that at the 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off everyone will enjoy watching Mike.

Blair v Linden: Earlier in the year, in the first installment of Pooley’s Picks I predicted the most productive players in New Jersey. This match up features (admittedly) my biggest snub: Tavon Jones. I can’t wait to watch Tavon in his first opportunity to prove me wrong. The big guard can do it all and will have a huge test against one of my favorite backcourts on the east coast. Let’s not forget the match up also features two great coaches: Phil Colicchio and Joe Mantegna.

Bergen Catholic v St. Benedict’s: Mark Taylor’s team is led by impressive Syracuse commit Bourama Sidibe and fab frosh Noah Farrakhan. Billy Armstrong’s team is led by two senior guards Gabe Stefanini (Columbia) and Taj Benning (Fairfield). Something has to give here. This is the most evenly matched game of the weekend, and one I really am excited to see. Look for the X-factor, 6’8″ freshman Matt Zona, to jump onto the New Jersey seen.

Ja’Quaye James: The small, heady PG will have his work cut out for him against Newark East Side. First, the Red Raiders are one of the best defenses at the 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off. Second, they are led by senior stopper Elijah Olaniyi and sophomore stud Anas Amos. However, none of that matters to James, who has been taking on the country’s best for years. Watch for some highlight reel excitement, some up-tempo basketball, and a lot of buckets from James.

Hun vs Union Catholic: Just a solid match up. Union Catholic is tough and physical, Hun is tough and physical. Guard play from both schools will be the difference in the game. Hun will try to keep Jordan Pierce of the offensive boards and Union Catholic will need to keep Tyler Washington and Desmond Cambridge away from the rim. Freshman guard Niels Lane, who got a lot of minutes at PSA Cardinals Showcase just two weeks ago, is another X-factor.

Calistus Anyichie 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off commit

St. Mary’s Elizabeth Bigs: Certainly not a group the casual fan would talk about, but I think that’s about to change. Both bigs, Calistus Anyichie and Casmir Ochiaka, have big upside and great coaching. Perhaps a little underrated right now, I’m looking for them to have a breakout 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off. As the season continues, look for colleges to start taking notice as well.

Jabri Abdur-Rahim: First of all, it’s not often you get to see a freshman play major minutes in a High School game. Second of all, it’s less often you get to see a top player nationally impact a game. Finally, both of those two will come together for the 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off, as Abdur-Rahim will do his best to live up to the hype.

Samba Diallo: Will BLOW UP this season. Been hearing his name a lot lately in some basketball circles. Samba has started coming into his own. First, look for this kid to have his first big game of the year at the 2016 New Jersey Tip-Off. Then, look for him to finish his sophomore year with all of the offers. The big lefty can do it all, and legitimately play 4 different positions.

You’re going to want to get to the NJ Tip-Off early cause the day starts off with a great matchup between Immaculate Conception and East Orange. East Orange, under 1st year coach and former Newark Tech coach (and state champion) Joe Jordan, looks to take down one of the best teams in New Jersey. Immaculate Conception features a player who many (Including myself) consider the best scorer in New Jersey, Jalen Carey! The 6’3 combo guard is capable of putting on a show against anyone! This is a matchup you’re not going to want to miss!

Don Bosco Prep is back again and ready for the Hoop Group Tip-Off Showcase. Class of 2016 Brown commit Brandon Anderson leads the Ironman and very excited to go against CBA (NJ). He is looking forward to his senior year of high school basketball.

“My goal is to continue to build on the success that we have had as a program, and bring home multiple championships along the way,” he said.

Don Bosco has prepared a great deal in the gym for this event and Anderson has done a lot of individual work as well.

“I’ve put in countless hours in the gym and weight room,” Anderson said. “We’ve also had a lot of reps that have prepared my team and me for this season.”

There are a couple of keys to success for this Don Bosco Prep team that Anderson has set.

“The key for a successful season is having a strong work ethic and doing whatever it takes to win,” said the Brown commit. “Coach Diverio has prepared our team for success. We believe in our system and that will make us a tough team to stop.”

Anderson is a quick guard with a great jump shot. Someone he looks up to as a player is Russell Westbrook.

“Russell Westbrook is my favorite player to watch because he brings a different energy and swagger to the court,” he said. “It sets him apart from all other point guards.”

The New Jersey native point guard really blew up onto the scene in last year’s Tip-Off Showcase. He is excited to play in the event for the third time.

“We are very excited to get out there,” he told HoopGroup.com. “This is my third year playing in the showcase and each time has been a great experience battling against other top teams in the area.”

Deceber 17th- The 15th Annual Hoop Group Tip ­Off-Classic will host a total of nine games Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21, 2014,. Four games will be held Saturday and five games Sunday at the spacious new West Orange High School gymnasium.

The first game will tip-off at 1:30 on Saturday and at 12:00 on Sunday.

The Hoop Group Tip ­Off Classic provides for some of the most exciting match-­ups of the High School Basketball Season. The schedule includes virtually all of the best high school programs in New Jersey including nationally ranked Roselle Catholic.

A very skilled, athletic, and disciplined team, the Ironmen set the tone from the outset, jumping out to a 19-3 lead and staying in control the rest of the way, winning 92-44.

“I knew that, if we controlled the tempo, we could win the game,” said sophomore point guard Paul Jorgensen. “We know we’re in much better shape then other teams, so we keep pushing and pressuring.”

Jorgensen is an integral part of the Don Bosco offense, as very creative passer, smooth ballhandler, and offensively aware player on the court. He had nine points in the blowout win.

On the competitive New Jersey Playaz AAU team, his role is different than in the spotlight at Don Bosco.

“The Playaz have a lot of great guards like Isaiah Briscoe and Jordan Forehand, so my role there is to spread it out and let them do their thing,” he says. “On this team, I feel like I’m more of a true point guard and control the tempo and offense.”

As only a sophomore, Jorgensen has a mature understanding of the game and is already 6’1” tall. In the new mold of a point guard, his mix of size and athleticism could have him playing high-major basketball in the future.

“A lot of colleges want to know if you can run an offense, and I get to show that at Don Bosco.”